Transparent shirt box

ABSTRACT

A shirt box has a collapsible (collapsed) state in which the sides of the collapsed box are defined by first and second fold lines that are part of the first set of fold lines and in the fully assembled (closed) state, the box has a substantially trapezoidal shape the sides of which are defined by a third fold line that is different from the first fold line and a fourth fold line that is different from the second fold line.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to retail packaging and in particular, toa shirt box for displaying a shirt in an assembled state and beingconstructed to fold flat to permit easy bundling and shipping of anumber of boxes.

BACKGROUND

In the retail sale of dress shirts and dress shirts and tiecombinations, it is desirable to present the merchandise in a mannerthat permits potential customers to have a good look at the product. Onthe other hand, it is important for retailers to keep the product cleanand free of any soil or stains that may result from handling, to protectagainst theft, and to maintain the shirts in an orderly and well-foldedcondition so that their displays remains attractive to passers by.

It is also desirable that the packaging that is used be economical tomanufacturer, that it be made from a recyclable material, and that it bemade with minimal waste.

It is also desirable to have a packaging that addresses the foregoingneeds and which permits shirts to be stacked in great number to promoteefficient shelf and display space usage.

The present invention satisfies these and other needs.

SUMMARY

A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts includes a singlesheet of substantially transparent plastic that has a plurality of foldlines formed therein including a first set of generally parallel foldlines and a second set of generally parallel fold lines. The boxincludes a series of first panels, each being separated from a nextpanel in the series by a respective fold line in the first set of foldlines. The first panels are foldable along the respective fold lines ina first direction to define a hollow central cavity for the shirt box.The box also includes a set of second panels each having a boundaryalong a respective fold line in the second set of fold lines to arespective first panel. The second panels are foldable along therespective fold lines in a second direction which is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction to define first and secondperipheral ends of the shirt box.

In this embodiment, the box includes first and second fastening panelsthat are part of the set of first panels are attached to another along afastening region to connect the set of first panels in series and definethe central cavity. The shirt box has a collapsible (collapsed) state inwhich the sides of the collapsed box are defined by first and secondfold lines that are part of the first set of fold lines and in the fullyassembled (closed) state, the box has a substantially trapezoidal shapethe sides of which are defined by a third fold line that is differentfrom the first fold line and a fourth fold line that is different fromthe second fold line.

These and other aspects, features and advantages shall be apparent fromthe accompanying Drawings and description of certain embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the invention in anunfolded substrate form;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showingthe box in a partially folded collapsed state;

FIG. 3 is perspective view of one end of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in afirst partially folded state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one end of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in asecond partially folded state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one end of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in aclosed state showing securement of an end panel;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the box of the embodiment of FIG. 1 inthe closed state with a pair of shirts contained therein;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the box of FIG. 1 with a tuxedo arrangementcontained therein; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, a shirt box container 500 is made from asubstrate 510 in the form of a transparent plastic sheet having a seriesof fold lines generally designated F1 and F2. The fold lines F1 aregenerally parallel and preferably are parallel to one another and can becharacterized as being vertical fold lines that run from one end of thecontainer to the opposite other end. The fold lines F2 are alsogenerally parallel and preferably are parallel to one another and can becharacterized as being horizontal fold lines. The fold lines F1, F2define boundaries of respective panels of the substrate 510.

More specifically, the substrate 510 is divided into a number ofdifferent panels that define particular segments or regions of thesubstrate 510. A series of first panels 512 all fold in a firstdirection and include panels 520, 522, 524, and 526. Each of thesepanels 520, 522, 524, 526 is disposed adjacent another panel in theseries and is separated from a next panel by one of the fold lines F1.As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the first series of panels 512 is foldable alongthe fold lines F1 along a common, parallel direction to define a hollowcentral cavity for the shirt box. Two of these panels, namely, panels520, 524, form a top wall (panel 524) and a bottom wall (panel 520), aswell a pair of side walls that are defines by panels 522, 526. As shownin FIG. 6, when the box 500 is assembled, the box 500 has a trapezoidalshape in that it is a quadrilateral with two sides parallel.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the panels 520, 524 has agenerally rectangular shape and the widths of the panels 520, 524 arepreferably equal. In addition, the panels 522, 526 also have a generallyrectangular shape, with the panel 522 being disposed between the panels520, 524 and the panel 526 being formed on the other side of the panel524. The panels 522, 526 have widths that are preferably equal to oneanother but are less than the width of the panels 520, 524.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the second series of panels 514 includes a pairof end panels 530 that have a boundary along the fold lines F2 to thepanel 520. The end panel 530 is defined by two parallel edges 532, oneof which defines the fold line F2, and a first end edge 534 that isperpendicular to edges 532 and a beveled end edge 536 that is formed atan angle to the edges 532. The end edge 536 is formed at an angle otherthan 90 degrees and therefore it is not parallel to the first end edge534. The outer edge 534 has a greater width than the inner edge 534 asillustrated.

On one side of each end panel 530, a flap 560 is provided. The flaps 560are bounded along one margin at the fold lines F2 to the panel 522. Theflap 560 thus folds about fold line F2 and is generally in the shape ofa trapezoid in that it includes two non-parallel side edges 562. It willbe appreciated from FIG. 1, that the distance that the flap 560 extendsfrom fold line F2 (the inner edge of the flap) is less than the distancethat the end panel 530 extends from fold line F2. In other words, theouter edge of the end panel 530 is at a greater distance from the foldline F2 than the outer edge of the flap 560 as illustrated.

The panel 522 is bounded at its ends by the flaps 560 and along itssides by panel 520 and 524. In other words, the panel 522 is disposedbetween the panels 520 and 524 and is joined thereto along fold linesF1.

On the other side of the panel 520 and the end panel 530, a firstfastening panel 550 is formed and includes a main section 552 thatextends between fold lines F2 and thus has a general rectangular shapeand end sections 554 that extend from the fold lines F2 to the outeredge of the end panel 530. The end sections 554 thus extend the samedistance from the fold lines F2 as the end panels 530; however, each endsection 554 has a generally triangular shape, with the hypotenuse of thetriangle being defined by an edge 556. The other two sides of the endsection 554 are defined by the end edge 534 and the edge 532 thatdefines the fold line F2.

A free edge 558 of the fastening panel 550 and in particular, of thepanel 520, represents a free edge that is used to construct andconfigure the substrate 510 into its sealed folded construction shown inFIG. 6. This aspect will be described in greater detail below. The freeedge 558 includes first fastening elements 551 that serve to fasten andsecurely attach the substrate 510 into its assembled but foldedcollapsed state.

A pair of end panels 540 is also provided and is constructed to have aboundary along the fold lines F2 to the panel 524 which is locatedbetween panels 522 and 526 and is joined thereof along fold lines F1.The end panel 540 is defined by two parallel edges 542, one (inner edge)of which defines the fold line F2 and the other is an outer edge of theend panel 540. The end panel 540 has a trapezoid shape and is therefore,also defined by a pair of angled edges 544. The angled edges 544 aretapered inward toward the fold line F2 so as to cause the inner edge(the fold line F2) to have a lesser width than the outer edge 542.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the panels 540 further includes endflaps 580 which fold about fold line F2 and which are joined to theouter edges (outer edge 542) of the panels 540. The end flap 580similarly has a trapezoid shape and is defined by the edge 542 at foldline F2 and an outer edge 582, with a pair of angled edges 584 extendingbetween edges 542, 582. In an opposite manner relative to the end panel540, the end flap 580 is constructed so that the outer edge 582 has aless width than the width of the inner edge (F2 fold line/edge 542).

As can be seen, a slit 561 separates the flap 560 and the adjacent panel540 and therefore, permits folding of the flap 560. There is a gapbetween the other side edge 562 of the flap 560 and the adjacent panel530 and therefore, there is no slit present in this location.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each of the panels 520, 522, 524 and 526 has arectangular shape, with the width of the panels 522, 526 being less thana width of the panels 520, 524. The panels 520, 524 can have the samedimensions and shapes and the panels 522, 526 can have the samedimensions and shapes.

On one side of each panel 540, a flap 570 is provided. The flaps 570 arebounded along one margin at the fold lines F2 to the panel 526. The flap570 thus folds about fold line F2 and is generally in the shape of atrapezoid in that includes two non-parallel side edges 572 and an outeredge 574. It will be appreciated from FIG. 1, that the distance that theflap 570 extends from fold line F2 (the inner edge of the flap) is lessthan the distance that the outer edge 542 of the end panel 540 extendsfrom fold line F2. In other words, the outer edge 542 of the end panel540 is at a greater distance from the fold line F2 than the outer edge574 of the flap 570 as illustrated. Preferably, the distances that theflaps 560, 570 extend from the panels 522, 526, respectively, are equaland therefore, the outer free edges of the lie in the same plane.

Similar to the flap 560, the flap 570 is defined by the pair of sideedges 572 that are angled with respect to the fold lines F2 and outeredge 574, with one of the side edges 572 being formed by a slit or cutthat also defines one of the edges 542 of the panel 540.

One the other side of the panel 526 and the flaps 570, a secondfastening panel 590 is formed and includes a main section 592 thatextends between fold lines F2 and extends from the fold line F1. Themain section 592 can generally have a trapezoid shape and is defined byan inner edge 594 (fold line F1), an outer edge 596 that is parallel tothe inner edge 594 and has a lesser length, and a pair of end edges 598that extend between the inner edge 594 and the outer edge 596. The edges598 are angled relative to the edges 594, 596.

The second fastening panel 590 is similar to and complementary to thefirst fastening panel 550 with the exception that the second fasteningpanel 590 does not include the end sections 554 that are present as partof the first fastening panel 550.

The outer edge 596 of the fastening panel 590 represents a free edgethat is used to construct and configure the substrate 510 into itssealed folded construction shown in FIG. 2. This aspect will bedescribed in greater detail below. The free edge 596 includes secondfastening elements 591 that are complementary to the first fasteningelements 551 and serve to fasten and securely attach the substrate 510into its assembled but folded state shown in FIG. 2.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1-6, the panels 530, 540 and flaps 560,570, 580 are foldable along their respective fold lines F2 in adirection which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of foldlines F1. In folding the above panels, peripheral ends of the shirt box500 are defined.

In accordance with a salient aspect of the present invention, the shirtbox 500 can be configured in a partially assembled state in which ahollow central cavity for containing one or more shirts or one or moreshirt and tie combinations is defined, yet which is collapsible into agenerally flat state until such time that one or more shirts (or a shirtand tie combination) are to be inserted into the box. When the shirt box500 is to be filled, it is brought to an uncollapsed state, the shirt isintroduced into the hollow cavity, and the peripheral ends of the shirtbox are bonded so as to define a substantially rectangular and sealedshirt box construction.

The first and second fastening elements 551, 591 are designed tointerlockingly mate together for permanently connecting the panel 590 tothe panel 550. According to one embodiment and as illustrated, thefastening elements 551, 591 are in the form of an interlocking basedstructure or a crimped based structure where the two panels 550, 590 aresecurely connected to one another so as to form a closed box blank thatand be stored flat prior to use. When the securement technique is aninterlocking based structure, the elements 551, 591 when pressedtogether interlock with one another. The elements 551, 591 can thus be asnap-fit based system that interlocks with one another when matedtogether.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-6, the shirt box 500 can furtherinclude first and second double sided tape members 600 that have a firstside in adhesive contact with a respective panel in the second set ofpanels. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the double-sided tape member 600 isdisposed on end panel 580. A second side of the double-sided tape member600 includes a removable strip 612 (best seen in FIG. 4) which overliesthe second side of the tape member 600. The removable strip 612maintains the second side of the tape member 600 free of tackiness sothat shirt boxes 500 can be stacked in a collapsed state withoutsticking to one another. However, the removable strip 612 can beseparated from the second side of the tape member 600 by releasing it inthe direction of arrow A so as to expose an adhesive surface whichpermits engagement of one panel 580 with another panel 520 (see FIGS.4-5). Once the panels 580, 520 have been adhesively joined by the tapemember 600, the shirt box 500 is in the state in which the hollowcentral cavity is sized to receive one or more shirts.

Preferably, the material of the substrate has a thickness so that, incombination with the fold lines F1 and F2, a stable, second stateresults in which the shirt boxes 500 can be stacked in great number, oneupon another, to promote efficient shelf and display space usage.

In order to facilitate folding of the shirt box, in a preferred form,the end panels 530, 540, 580 can have chamfered corners adjacent theirrespective free ends. The chamfered corners reduce interference of onepanel member with another as the box 500 is folded.

In the assembled, folded state, the angled sides of the trapezoidalshape box 500 are defined by panels 522, 526 and the top is defined bypanel 524 and the bottom is defined by panel 520. In the assembledstate, the ends of the box 500 are defined by the folded panels 530, 540and flaps 560, 570. When the box 500 is fully assembled into the foldedstate of FIGS. 5-6, the panel 530 and the corresponding end section 554of the first fastening panel 550 lie in the same plane.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the side edges of thepartially folded, collapsed box 500 shown in FIG. 2 are defined by sideedges that are different than the side edges that define the sides ofthe fully assembled box 500 as shown in FIG. 6. More specifically, inthe partially folded, collapsed state, one side edge of the box 500 isdefined by the fold line F1 between panels 522, 524, while the otherside edge of the box 500 is defined by the fold line F1 between thefirst fastening panel 550 and the panel 520. In contrast, when the box500 is further folded from the collapsed state of FIG. 2 to theassembled, fully folded, closed state of FIG. 6, both of the side edgesof the box 500 are different than the two side edges in the collapsedstate. In particular, one of the side edges is defined by the free edge558 of the first fastening panel 550 which is joined to the edge 596 ofthe second fastening panel 590, and the other side edge of the box 500is defined by the fold line F1 between the panels 520, 522. It willtherefore be appreciated both fold lines F1 associated with the firstfastening panel 550 define the side edges of the box 500 in both thecollapsed state of FIG. 2 and the assembled, closed state of FIG. 5.This is due to the fact that the first fastening panel 550 is foldedover the panel 520 in the collapsed state and is then folded so that itis in the same plane as the panel 550 in the closed state of FIG. 5.

In the flat storage position (collapsed state) that allows a number ofboxes 500 to be easily stacked on top of one another, the box 500 isfolded about the fold line F1 between the panels 522, 524 so that thepanel 524 is disposed above and lies across a portion of the panel 520and a portion of the panel 522 and both panels 526, 590 lie above thepanel 520. The outer edge 596 of the fastening panel 590 does not extendall the way to the fold line F1 that is formed between the panel 520 andthe fastening panel 550. In this orientation, the flaps 570 lie abovethe end panel 530 but do not extend all the way to the outer edge of theend panel 530. Each end panel 540 is disposed over a portion of the endpanel 530 and one flap 560. The outer edge 542 of the end panel 540preferably overlies the outer edge 532 of the underlying end panel 530in this folded construction. The outer edge of the underlying flap 560does not extend to the fold line F2 that is defined by the overlyingouter edges of the end panels 530, 540.

One angled edge 544 of the end panel 540 that is adjacent the flap 570is disposed over the end panel 530, while the other angled edge 544 doesnot overlie any structure and is angled outwardly from the fold line F1between the panels 522, 524 and therefore, the tip where the anglededges 544 and 584 intersect represents the furthest point of one side ofthe unassembled, folded, collapsed box 500.

-   -   In the unassembled, folded, collapsed position of FIG. 2, the        two side edges of the folded box are defined by the fold line F1        defined between the panels 522, 524 and the fold line F1 defined        between the fastening panel 550 and the panel 520.

In the folded, closed position of FIG. 6, the fastening panel 550 isfolded about the fold line F1 between the fastening panel 550 and thepanel 520 and the end sections 554 are thus folded over the end panel530. The free edge 558 of the fastening panel 550 is positionedproximate the fold line F1 between the fastening panel 590 and the panel526. When the fastening panel 550 is folded over, as shown, the firstand second fastening elements 551, 591 generally align with one anotherin an overlying manner to permit the interconnection/fastening thereof.As discussed above, when the fastening elements 551, 591 are in the formof interlocking structures, the elements 551, 591 are joined togetherusing appropriate tools. In the case of snap-fit elements, the elements551, 591 are joined and mated to form an interlocking snap-fitconnection between the elements 551, 591 or in the case of a crimp,using crimping tools.

To construct and assemble the box 500 into its normal condition for useas shown in FIG. 6, the box 500 is first formed by cutting a plasticsheet to have the shapes and cuts shown in FIG. 1 and is then foldedabout the fold line F1 between the panels 522, 524 and the fasteningpanel 550 is folded and the fastening elements 551, 591 are joined toyield, the folded construction described above and shown in FIG. 2.Next, the folded box 500 is manipulated by raising the panels 526, 526relative to panel 520 by folding the structure about the fold line F1between the panels 520, 522 as shown in FIG. 3. As the panel 524 israised in the manner, the panel 522 no longer lies flat but starts topivot upward at an increasing angle relative to the panel 520 andsimultaneously, the panel 526 begins to lift away from its initiallyflat position by pivoting about the fold line F1 between the fasteningpanel 550 and the panel 520 (the side edge of the folded box).

As the panel 524 continues to be raised and the panels 522, 526 pivotupwardly toward an axis that is normal to the panel 520, the end panels540 are also raised and assume a position above the end panels 530, withthe flaps 560, 570 being positioned between the end panels 530, 540. Asthe panel 524 is raised, the flaps 560, 570 move in direction thatcauses them to become more normal relative to the underlying panel 520.In this initial movement, the end sections 554 begin to pivot upwardlyabout the first end edge 534 (F1 fold line between the end section 554and the end panel 530).

In this intermediate position, the end sections 554 are close to or evenin a perpendicular orientation relative to the end panel 530 and thepanel 522 can likewise be in position where the panel 522 issubstantially perpendicular to the panels 520, 524 as shown in FIG. 3.When the ends sections 554 and the panel 522 are in perpendicularorientations, the panel 526 is at an angle other than 90° relative tothe panel 520.

To go from the intermediate position to the final, closed position ofFIG. 6, the box 500 is manipulated to cause the free edge 558 of thefastening panel 550 and the fold line F1 between the panel 526 and thefastening panel 590 to become the side edge of the complete, assembledbox 500 structure. This is done by pushing down on in the area where thefastening panels 550, 590 are joined (i.e., near or along the joinedfastening elements 551, 591) and then tucking the fastening panel 550underneath the panel 526 by causing the first fastening panel 550 to lieflat and in the same plane as the panel 520 (as well as the same planeas the end panel 130 prior to its folding) as shown in FIG. 4. This isaccomplished by folding the first fastening panel 550 about the foldline F1 between the first fastening panel 550 and the panel 520. Inother words, the original side edge of the folded box construction,namely, the fold line F1 between the end panel 550 and the panel 520 nolonger is the side edge of the assembled box 500 shown in FIG. 5.Similarly, the other side edge of the box 500 is different in thecollapsed and closed states in that in the collapsed state, the sideedge is defined by the fold line F1 between the panels 522, 524 and inthe closed state, the side edge is defined by the fold line F1 betweenthe panels 520, 522.

As a result of folding the first fastening panel 550 in this manner intoa position where it lies in the same plane as the panel 520, the twopanels 522, 526 of the box 500 form and define the two angled sides ofthe trapezoid shaped box 500. The assembly of the box 500 is thencompleted by bending the flaps 560, 570 inwardly towards the interiorcompartment of the box 500 (e.g., folded over towards the panels 522,526, respectively) and then the end panels 530, including the endsections 554, are folded up towards the folded flaps 560, 570 andbrought into contact therewith to close off the interior compartment ofthe box 500. As shown, the combination of the end section 554 and theadjoining end panel 530 itself defines a trapezoid shaped end.

The final sealing of the box 500 is performed by folding down the endpanel 540, at the fold line F2 between panels 540, 524 so as to fold thepanel 540 over the folded end panel 530 so that the trapezoidal shapedend panel 540 lies over the complementary trapezoidal shaped end panel530, with one angled edge 544 being generally aligned with and overlyingthe edge 556 associated with the end section 554 and the other anglededge 544 being aligned with and overlying the edge 536. The end flap 580is then folded about the fold line F2 so as to position the end flap 580on an underside (bottom surface) of the panel 520. To secure the endflap 580 to this underside surface of the panel 520, the removable stripof the double-sided tape member 600 is removed so as to expose thesecond side of the tape member 600, thereby exposing an adhesive surfacewhich permits the engagement of the end panel 580 with the underside ofthe panel 520. Once the panels 580 have been adhesively joined by thetape member 600, the shirt box 500 is in the second state, namely, theassembled state, in which the hollow central cavity is sized to receiveone or more shirts.

It will be appreciated that the area of the end section 554 and the endpanel 530 is about equal to the area of the end panel 540 which, unlikethe end panel 530 does not include a fold line F1 since these twostructures mate together as described herein. In addition, the bottom ofthe box 500 is defined by the panel 520 and the first fastening panel550, while the top of the box 500 is defined by the panel 524.

The fold lines F1 and F2 can be continuous or discontinuous, butpreferably are continuous and more preferably comprise score lines inthe substrate 520.

The set of first panels of the shirt box 500 thus includes a bottompanel 520, a top panel 524 and a pair of side panels 522, 526 thatextend between the bottom and top panels 510, 524, each of the first andsecond side panels 522, 526 being formed at an angle other than 90degrees with respect to the top panel 524 and the bottom panel 520. Inthe collapsed box, one side panel 522 lies adjacent and in the sameplane as the bottom panel 520, while the other side panel 526 lies abovethe bottom panel 520 and in a different plane. The first fold line isformed between the first fastening panel 550 and the bottom panel 520that is part of the first set of panels, wherein in the collapsed box500, the first fastening panel 550 is folded over the bottom panel 520,while in the assembled state, the first fastening panel 550 and thebottom panel 520 lie at least substantially in the same plane.

It will be appreciated that the box 500 is constructed to receive anddisplay one or more shirts. For example, when displaying two shirts, theshirts are arranged side by side and one shirt can at least partiallyoverlie the other shirt so that both collars of the shirts are spacedapart and fully visible. It is also possible for one or more of theshirts to include a tie as described above with reference to previousembodiments.

Now referring to FIGS. 7-8 in which a new application for the shirt box500 is shown. In this embodiment, the shirt box 500 contains a tuxedoshirt arrangement 700 that includes a tuxedo shirt 710 that is arrangedin a folded manner so that a collar 712 thereof is visible through thetop panel 524 and sleeves 714 of the shirt 710 are folded over the frontof the shirt 710 so that cuff links 716 that are already inserted andsecured through button holes of the sleeves 714 are visible through thetop panel 524. The shirt 710 has a bow tie 720 that is arranged aroundthe collar 712 in the standard position and manner of wear so that onceagain, the consumer is shown how the bow tie 720 looks in its standardlocation. A clip or the like can be used to attach the bow tie 720 tothe shirt 710 so that the bow tie 720 does not move relative to theshirt 710 during transportation or display.

The shirt 710, along with the attached bow tie 720 and cuff links 716,occupy a first section of the central cavity of the box 500, while acummerbund 730 is disposed in and occupies a second section of thecentral cavity that is adjacent the first section. The cummerbund 730can be folded so that its folded length is about the same as the lengthof the folded shirt 710. As is well known, the cummerbund 730 has a pairof free ends or straps 732, 734 that are releasably attached to oneanother, as by a hook or buckle type mechanism. In one aspect of theinvention, a support structure 740, such as a piece of cardboard, isprovided to support the folded cummerbund 730 and help locate andconfine the cummerbund 730 to the second section of the box 500. Thesupport structure 740 thus has a length that is about the same as thelength of the folded shirt 710. The folded cummerbund 730 can be furthersecured to the support structure 740 by any number of different means,including, the use of a clip or the like (this further ensures that thecummerbund 730 will not move excessively relative to the supportstructure 740). By placing the cummerbund 730 in the second section ofthe box next to the folded shirt 710 in the first section, the consumercan view the cummerbund 730 directly next to the folded shirt 710. Theconsumer can thus view the complete tuxedo shirt arrangement prior topurchase to select the desired tuxedo shirt design.

In one aspect of this embodiment, one of the panels 540 contains ahanger 750 that has a hook member 752 to permit the box 500, with thetuxedo shirt arrangement 700 contained therein for display to theconsumer. The hanger 750 includes a body portion 754 from which the hookmember 752 extends and the hanger 750 is preferably attached to thepanel 540 by securely attaching an underside of the body portion 754 tothe outer face of the panel 540. The hanger 750 can be attached usingany number of different techniques, including using an adhesive (e.g.,glue or cement) or by otherwise bonding or welding the hanger 750 to thepanel 540.

It will also be appreciated that the tuxedo arrangement 700 does nothave to include the cummerbund 730 and support structure 740 butinstead, the shirt box 500 can contain only the folded shirt 710, alongwith the bow tie 720 and cuff links 716.

As with the earlier embodiment, the shirt box 500 can be formed withhole 90 in one of the panels that forms the box 500. Hole 90 ispositioned such that the outline of the hole overlies a portion of theshirt or the tuxedo arrangement. This arrangement provides access to thegarments inside the shirt box 500 so that consumers can touch and feelthe garments yet does not compromise the structural integrity of the box500. It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the hole 90 arenot critical and the hole 90 is therefore not limited to having an ovalshape.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainembodiments thereof, the invention is capable of being practiced inother forms and using other materials and structures. Accordingly, theinvention is defined by the recitations in the claims appended heretoand equivalents thereof.

1. A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts comprising: asingle sheet of substantially transparent plastic; a plurality of foldlines in the plastic sheet including a first set of generally parallelfold lines and a second set of generally parallel fold lines; a seriesof first panels each being separated from a next panel in the series bya respective fold line in the first set of fold lines, the first panelsbeing foldable along said respective fold lines in a first direction todefine a hollow central cavity for the shirt box; and a set of secondpanels each having a boundary along a respective fold line in the secondset of fold lines to a respective first panel, the second panels beingfoldable along said respective fold lines in a second direction which issubstantially perpendicular to the first direction to define first andsecond peripheral ends of the shirt box; wherein first and secondfastening panels that are part of the set of first panels are attachedto another along a fastening region to connect the set of first panelsin series and define the central cavity; wherein the shirt box has acollapsible state in which the sides of the collapsed box are defined byfirst and second fold lines that are part of the first set of fold linesand in the assembled state, the box has a substantially trapezoidalshape the sides of which are defined by a third fold line that isdifferent from the first fold line and a fourth fold line that isdifferent from the second fold line, wherein the first fastening panelis defined by the first and third fold lines.
 2. The shirt box of claim1, wherein the third fold line comprises the fastening region anddefines one side of the box in the assembled state.
 3. The shirt box ofclaim 1, wherein the second set of panels includes a first end panel anda second end panel that are bounded along the second set of fold linesto a bottom panel that is part of the first set of panels and defines abottom of the shirt box in the assembled state, wherein each of thefirst and second end panels is intersected and partitioned into firstand second sections by one fold line of the first set of fold lines. 4.The shirt box of claim 3, wherein the one fold line defines an inneredge of the first fastening panel.
 5. The shirt box of claim 3, whereinthe first section has a triangular shape.
 6. The shirt box of claim 5,wherein a hypotenuse of the triangle intersects one end of the fasteningregion and one edge of the end panel.
 7. The shirt box of claim 5,wherein each of the first and second end panels has a trapezoidal shapewith one beveled side edge being a free edge of the first section andanother beveled side edge being a free edge of the second section. 8.The shirt box of claim 3, wherein in the collapsed box, the firstsection is folded over a portion of the second section.
 9. The shirt boxof claim 7, wherein in the collapsed box, the pair of beveled edges thatdefine the trapezoidal shape of the end panel when the box is assembledare substantially parallel to one another.
 10. The shirt box of claim 1,wherein the first and second fastening panels are attached to oneanother by a crimped structure.
 11. The shirt box of claim 1, whereinthe set of first panels includes a bottom panel, a top panel and a pairof side panels that extend between the bottom and top panels, each ofthe first and second side panels being formed at an angle other than 90degrees with respect to the top panel and the bottom panel.
 12. Theshirt box of claim 11, wherein in the collapsed box, one side panel liesadjacent and in the same plane as the bottom panel, while the other sidepanel lies above the bottom panel and in a different plane.
 13. Theshirt box of claim 1, wherein the first fold line is formed between thefirst fastening panel and a bottom panel that is part of the first setof panels, wherein in the collapsed box, the first fastening panel isfolded over the bottom panel, while in the assembled state, the firstfastening panel and the bottom panel lie at least substantially in thesame plane.
 14. The shirt box of claim 1, further including first andsecond double-sided tape members, each tape member having a first sidein adhesive contact with a respective second panel and having a secondside; and first and second removable strips overlying the second side ofthe first and second double-sided tape members, respectively, wherein ina first state, the first and second removable strips overlie the firstand second tape members, and a second state in which the second side ofat least one of the tape members is in adhesive contact with one of thepanels and in which the hollow central cavity is sized to receive one ormore shirts.
 15. A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirtscomprising: a single sheet of substantially transparent plastic; aplurality of fold lines in the plastic sheet including a first set ofgenerally parallel fold lines and a second set of generally parallelfold lines; a series of first panels each being separated from a nextpanel in the series by a respective fold line in the first set of foldlines, the first panels being foldable along said respective fold linesin a first direction to define a hollow central cavity for the shirtbox; and a set of second panels each having a boundary along arespective fold line in the second set of fold lines to a respectivefirst panel, the second panels being foldable along said respective foldlines in a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction to define first and second peripheral ends of the shirtbox, the set of second panels including a pair of first end panels;wherein first and second fastening panels that are part of the set offirst panels are attached to another along a fastening region to connectthe set of first panels in series and define the central cavity, thefirst fastening panel being defined by an inner edge that is included inthe first set of fold lines and intersects and partitions each of thefirst end panels into two sections; wherein the shirt box has acollapsed state in which the first fastening panel is folded about itsinner edge so as to fold one section of the first end panel over theother section thereof, while in the assembled state, the box has asubstantially trapezoidal shape and the first fastening panel isunfolded so that the two sections have a trapezoidal shape.
 16. Acombination of tuxedo clothing articles packaged for sale within asubstantially transparent box comprising; a folded shirt having acollar; a necktie supported by the shirt; a folded cummerbund supportedby a support structure; the transparent box of claim 1, wherein thefolded shirt and necktie are disposed in a first section of the centralcavity of the box and the folded cummerbund and the support structureare disposed in a second section of the central cavity that is adjacentthe first section.
 17. The combination of claim 16, wherein the supportstructure comprises a piece of cardboard.